Queen Camel Cares is a support service for people within Queen Camel for those times when life can appear difficult and overwhelming. Maybe you’re returning home alone following an operation, coping after the loss of a loved one, need help with hospital visits or just need someone to talk to. Get in contact via the details below.

The service is free of charge but a contribution towards petrol for hospital visits is always appreciated.

CHARIS Refugees, in association with Somerset County Council and other partners, is setting up six Welcome Hubs across Somerset – in Taunton, Bridgwater, Watchet, Frome, Wells and Yeovil.  The Welcome Hubs will help refugees and asylum seekers to become more independent and integrate into the community, as well as provide support to sponsors.  Services on offer will include a confidential safe space, English language lessons, peer support, and signposting to local events, activities and services, such as health and employment.  

For further information about activities and the opening hours for each Welcome Hub, please look on www.charisrefugees.org

You can also contact Alex Melbourne, Welcome Hubs Programme Manager, CHARIS Refugees, 16/17 Hammet Street, Taunton, TA1 1RZ, AlexMelbourne@charisrefugees.org

Citizens Advice South Somerset is a local charity that provides free, confidential, advice to help people resolve their problems; we also campaign to change unfair policies that help cause these problems.

Volunteers are the life force of our organisation and without them we would not be able to deliver the level of service that we offer.  We have a range of volunteering opportunities available and if you want to know more please visit our website.

This is a peer support group which is led by patients for patients and intends to meet monthly.

It provides a welcoming space to meet people from across South Somerset who have had a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy, share issues and challenges and discuss how to live life to the full. The group also aims to break down the stigma of living with a stoma. Please get in touch to find out when the next group is and for more information. Friends, partners and carers of people affected are also welcome to come along. Contact Shane Green via the details below.

The Huddle, Quedam Shopping Centre (just up from Boots).

Starting 14th September, 1-3pm.

If you’ve recently visited your GP, or local hospital, or used any health and care services in Somerset, we want to hear from you. Whether you’ve had a good or bad experience, we can use your feedback to improve services for everyone and we have the power to make NHS leaders and other care providers listen to what you have to say. We’re completely independent and impartial and anything you say is confidential. We also offer information and advice to help you to get the support you need. Our service is free, simple to use and can make a real difference to people in Somerset and beyond.

There are Health Coaches based at 17 GP practices across South Somerset.

They help patients and their families to better understand and manage their existing health conditions and to provide practical advice including diet and fitness. They are also able to research information and signpost patients to local community resources and services that can provide support and equipment to maintain a high quality of life at home.

To date Health Coaches have helped over 18,000 people in the area.

Contact your Practice receptionist to find out how you can see a Health Coach.

Veterans’ Gateway is the first point of contact for veterans seeking support.

There is a huge network of organisations supporting the Armed Forces community, so finding the right one for your needs can be tricky.

We make it quick and easy by being your first point of contact for whatever support you need, whether you are based in the UK or abroad.

Many of our team are veterans themselves so they understand the issues that people face after leaving the Armed Forces.

They work with people on a one-to-one basis, connecting them with the right support as soon as possible.

Age UK Somerset provides information and advice on a wide range of issues. We’ll provide you with the facts and you can make choices and decisions knowing you have reliable information. We can help you with:

• Welfare benefits and money matters
• Housing rights.
• Health and social care
• Leisure and social activities
• Family and personal matters
• Your rights to local services

And most other things that affect your quality of life.

Local services and information to help you choose the right care and support, for both Adults and Children & Families. Site by Somerset County Council.

Able2achieve supports individuals with learning disabilities, mental health, and other associated disabilities. We support individuals in a variety of different ways from everyday living skills to attending social events such as concerts.

Housing & welfare team is available to give advice and to take action, to help find the right housing solutions.

A confidential, free, national helpline for older people. They can offer information, friendship and support. They signpost callers to the many, varied groups and services that exist in their communities.
The Silver Line Telephone Friends offers a regular weekly friendship call with a volunteer.

Safe & Warm Somerset offers free, practical advice to help make homes warmer, cheaper to heat and to reduce the risk of ill health and hospital admissions.  The project is run by the Bristol based charity The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE).  CSE provides free energy advice via their advice line across the southwest and more in-depth case work is offered to those that need it through its Fuel Poverty and Energy Advisors.  They resolve issues relating to Fuel Poverty, Energy Awareness and Home Improvements by;

• Giving energy efficiency advice in order to reduce household energy bills.
• Applying for home improvement grants to combat damp, drafts and heat escaping through walls and ceilings.
• Repairing, replacing or installing new central heating systems using grant funded installers.
• Helping people understand their gas or electricity meters and bills.
• Supporting those in fuel debt to manage it and make their payments affordable.
• Dealing with disputes with energy and water suppliers.
• Developing people’s financial skills and identifying benefits they may be entitled to.

This 5 minute video shows the kind of support offered.

Gives direct support and signposting to the many charities in the veterans sector, to veterans and ex uniformed public services personnel.

Support includes;

– information & guidance
– signposting to appropriate charities
– mental and physical health
– personal development and recovery
– accessing grants
– education & employment advice
– business startup and self-employment support
– accessing Regimental Association support

To report someone sleeping rough – calls are confidential.

Village Agents are local people employed on a part-time basis to become trusted members of their communities and a valuable resource. They make home visits where necessary and may carry out a series of practical checks related to safety in the home (e.g. smoke alarms, falls prevention), benefits entitlement and energy efficiency. Visits are followed up when necessary by experts who will provide specialist information, advice and services e.g. the fire service and social care.

To see which areas of South Somerset have a Village Agent, see the link below.

Emotional, psychological and spiritual support for patients, relatives and staff whilst in hospital. Through the paid and voluntary chaplaincy team members each ward in the hospital is visited at least once a week. Support is offered to all and can be requested at other times on request. Making ongoing arrangements for support on request by putting individuals in touch with local organisations, activities or faith groups that can help.

Sundays 10.30am, preceded by bedside ministry on request.

Disability Rights UK campaign in parliament on behalf of all disabled people in areas including:

•  Increasing opportunities in education and employment.
• Changing attitudes to disability.
• Independent living – getting a life.

We sell the RADAR accessible toilet key and the leading guide to benefits and rights – The Disability Rights Handbook.  These can be purchased from our online Shop.

To help disabled people understand the benefits system we have produced a number of factsheets that can be downloaded for free from our website.

www.disabilityrightsuk.org

Address; Plexal, 14 East Bay Lane, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, LONDON, E20 3BS.

If you have any problem with your bladder and/ or bowel, don’t be embarrassed about getting medical help. The symptoms can be improved, and sometimes cured, often with simple methods, or if not we can arrange onward referral to the most appropriate specialist.

The Bladder & Bowel Community aims to break the taboo of living life with a bladder or bowel dysfunction, diversion or condition, raise awareness and most importantly, help people get the advice they need. We provide information and wider support services for people with bladder and/or bowel conditions including their friends, families, carers and healthcare professionals. For further information please visit the website.

Provider of the free ‘Just Can’t Wait’ toilet access card – now available as a digital card – for those with symptoms such as incontinence, IBS and prostate issues.

Home Delivery Service: Bladder & Bowel Home Delivery
Support Group: Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group
FREE Just Can’t Wait Card

Supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. Helping people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes.

For support on many issues affecting the elderly such as housing, benefits advice, hospital discharge, isolation, and care homes.

If you’re a Knightstone resident, we can offer you tailored support in almost any area of your life, including help to manage your homes or tenancy, support to find a job, work experience or volunteering opportunities, help to connect with local clubs or activities, and support around money and debt management. We also run a crisis service to help get you back on your feet if something unexpected has happened.

Created so that people know where to find ‘accessible’ health information.  ‘Accessible’ information is information that uses easy words with pictures covering food and exercise; informative health videos and useful health advice. There are over 500 leaflets on Easyhealth made by many different organisations.  You can print off nearly all the leaflets straight away.

Somerset Partnership have put together a collection of self help guides. These are available to view when you follow the link below. The guides cover these topics:

Alcohol and You
Anxiety
Bereavement
Controlling Anger
Depression and Low Mood
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Food for Thought
Health Anxiety
Obsessions and Compulsions
Panic
Postnatal Depression
Self Harm
Shyness and Social Anxiety
Sleeping Problems
Stress